what kind of massage or physical therapy works for people with fibromyalgia?

I tried physical therapy and didn't really see any improvement of my fibro symptoms. I do get regular massages and they seem to help for a day or two. But, when you are in constant pain, even having improvement for a day or two is wonderful. I don't know what kind of massage I get. I just have a wonderful massage therapist who knows I have fibro and works with a gentle touch. The thing that has worked best for me is chiropractic help. I first started going because I injured my neck My first 5 or 6 appointments, they started with ultrasound heat (which really does help --at least for me). Then they would spray biofreeze on my neck and any other painful areas and place moist heat packs on my back and neck for about 15 minutes. The Chiropractor would then massage my neck (and it was incredibly painful) and then do the adjustment. Only the massage part hurt, the adjustment didn't. Lately, when I go in, they start with a massage, by a Licensed Massage Therapist. The massage from the LMT is quite relaxing and is not painful at all. She follows the massage by putting the heat packs on me. Then the Chiro does the adjustment. Using a hydrotub seems to help some, as does water exercise in warm water.

well i can tell you that what works for me is a very light gentel massage that the person giving the massage rolls there thumbs in a circular motion. It must be started out very gentel and deepen slowly into the session. Also you should get one on a regular basis so there is no built up. It has worked wonders for me, and I usually have very bad muscle spazems, and if I have anyone else other than the one woman who knows what she is doing give me my massage then it causes problems for the next week.

Unfortunately every fibromyalgia patient is different. What works for one may not work for another. I like deep tissue massages whereas some fibromites can't even stand to be touched. It just depends on how sensitive and severe your case is. One thing is for sure, get a massage therapist who is familiar with fibromyalgia. As for physiotherapy, I don't know how physiotherapy can help fibromyalgia. Exercise helps but it is an immune disease as well as neurological. Don't waste money on physio when you can go for a walk around the block yourself. I started walking around the block and now walk three miles a day, five days a week. When I first started I lost 30 pounds, my symptoms eased up, I take less pain killers than I did before. But I am in no way cured or without pain. I am going to be in pain anyway so might as well get some exercise, get the endorphins released from your brain which will help you physically, emotionally and spiritually. Remember, you may sleep ten hours a night but you probably aren't getting into Stage IV reparative sleep. That is why you feel tired. Exercising will help your sleep. You will become exhausted at first until your body becomes used to it. But don't push yourself. Start slow. Something else that is helpful is Mag-Citrate. It is a combination of Magnesium and Malic Acid. It is really helpful for pain. I noticed an immediate difference when I started taking it, and felt an increase in pain when I stopped. Magnesium itself is imperative as it helps with over 300 bodily functions. Good luck and I'm here if you need to chat. I've had fibro for almost 11 years.